Barrett Ruud

[Mr Bennett]

Was one of Peter King's three Defensive Player of the Week.

He's one of the three or four best young middle/inside linebackers in the game today, but no matter how long he plays and how many great days he has in this game, Ruud will never make a better play than the one he made to rob the Bears of a touchdown in the first half at Soldier Field Sunday.

Running stride for stride with Bears running back Matt Forte, Ruud watched as Kyle Orton's pass settled into Forte's hands. Ruud punched the ball free as he stumbled backward, then clutched at it once; it fell toward the ground, and as he fell to the ground, he grabbed the ball three inches from the ground and signaled to the back judge he had the ball. All in about two seconds. An amazing play. For the day, Ruud led the Bucs with seven tackles and added two passes defensed.

[Mr Bennett]

And in the same column

There aren't many middle linebackers stopping the run better than Philly's Stewart Bradley.

[Merlin]

Watched Tampa last night. Barrett seems to stay in position and do a real good job.   Proving some of the negative people wrong. He is making it in the NFL.

[idahusker]

SI's Dr. Z pick for midseason All-Pro MLB

MLB—Coaches could use film of Barrett Ruud (Bucs) to teach how to play the position. Not flashy, just tremendously sound.

Link

[Big Red Machine]

Some guys on ESPN have started talking about Ruud as a pro bowl candidate, and the best middle linebacker in the league.